Upham Brewery

The brewery sits in proper countryside just outside Southampton, and visiting Upham feels like stumbling into someone's genuine passion project rather than a corporate operation. You're looking at a working craft brewery where they actually brew on-site, so there's a real sense of activity when you arrive - the smell of malt and hops hits you before you've even parked up.

What you actually do depends on what they've got running that day. Tours happen, tastings certainly, and the on-site shop stocks their full range if you want to take bottles back to your caravan. It's the sort of place where the staff know their beer inside-out and will chat properly if you show genuine interest rather than just wanting a photo for Instagram.

Families with older kids will find it worthwhile - it's educational without being preachy, and the brewery setting keeps things interesting for longer than a standard visitor centre. Younger children will get bored quickly, mind you. Beer enthusiasts obviously get the most from it, but even casual drinkers find something worth trying.

If you're staying at Holden Farm Camping or ScottsHaven just down the road, it's a decent afternoon option that breaks up the park routine. Check their website for opening times and whether tours need booking first - independent breweries can be a bit ad-hoc about these things. Reckon on two hours maximum including a browse of their shop.